Victory in Blain sees CLP reboot priorities

THE CLP has retained the outer Darwin seat of Blain, despite a 10 per cent swing to Labor.

CHIEF Minister Adam Giles will try to refocus attention on his government’s plans to make the Northern Territory the “capital” of northern Australia, after the Country Liberal Party survived a crucial by-election at the weekend.

The CLP retained the outer Darwin seat of Blain, despite a 10 per cent swing to Labor, meaning the government’s ­majority is safe.

Victory to Nathan Barrett in Blain, even by a narrow 3 per cent margin, gives the CLP a chance to rebuild after 18 months plagued by infighting.

Mr Giles withdrew an olive branch extended to two of three indigenous backbenchers who quit the party 10 days ago amid claims of racism, bullying and broken promises to bush electorates.

Last week he blamed high-profile Aboriginal woman Alison Anderson for the Third World conditions in her central Australian electorate. “I’ve taken that line not because they’ve left the Country Liberals ... but because they have let down Territorians, and that’s what this is all about,” he said.

The three rebel indigenous MPs, Ms Anderson, Francis Xavier Kurruwu and Larisa Lee, have yet to detail their plans to form a new party.

While the trio are expected to be treated as irrelevant, senior sources in both major parties said if they formed a strong political force they could determine the balance of power after the next election.

Mr Giles sought to use Blain victory to draw a line under feuding between CLP factions.

But he still needs to contend with unrest over revelations Speaker Kezia Purick leaked secret cabinet information to Labor during his campaign to oust former chief minister Terry Mills, the previous Blain representative. Failure by Mr Giles to discipline Ms Purick would infuriate caucus colleagues once loyal to Mr Mills, but sending her to the backbench would marginalise an ally.

Mr Giles yesterday announced a new ad campaign, roadshow and website aimed at “starting a conversation” about northern Australia.

Attempts to make the NT the “capital” of northern Australia are reminiscent of past comments that prompted chairman of the federal government’s inquiry into northern Australia, Warren Entsch, to accuse Mr Giles of “chest beating parochialism”.

Mr Entsch welcomed the Territory’s enthusiasm, but said Mr Giles was duplicating the work of the federal inquiry.

Opposition Labor leader Delia Lawrie brushed off speculation her position could be threatened after the Blain loss.